Police release photos of CTA Orange Line robbery suspects

Police released images showing a pair of young men they believe committed armed robberies of numerous passengers on the CTA Orange Line. (WLS)

WLS

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

CHICAGO (WLS) --

Police released three sets of video images taken from the CTA Roosevelt Station showing a pair of young men they believe committed armed robberies of numerous passengers on the inbound Orange Line Wednesday afternoon.

In the busy streetscape below the station, police looked for the men who fled the train there. The robberies happened somewhere between Roosevelt and Halsted station, the previous stop. CTA says the train carried on to the next station, Van Buren, and then the line was shut down for eight minutes.

"I take it a lot! So you know taking the Orange Line and finding out something like this is happening it is kind of scary," said Joshua Short.

Sources tell ABC7 Eyewitness News that one woman was allegedly approached on the train by the gunmen and when she objected, loudly, to their demands, she was pistol-whipped.

"It is not the first time, it is not going to be the last time until there is someone on each train. Is that affordable for the city of Chicago?" said Aida Borjas, 2006 Orange Line robbery victim.

Police indicate several people lost their wallets, phones and jewelry. This South Loop couple says the incident is just more reason to stay alert in the city.

"You think a flood of video is the answer? No, I think there should be more physical presence of police and CTA security," said Karen Lacaze, South Loop resident.

No one is in custody. Anyone with information for police regarding the suspects is asked to call Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8380.